Before we even get started let' have a drink! Here is the list of the 25 DOC wines of Puglia:
Aleatico di Puglia
Alezio
Brindisi
Cacc' é mmitte di Lucera
Castel del Monte (THIS IS THE WINE WE WILL BE DRINKING AT THE WEDDING, OPEN BAR!)
Copertino
Gioia del Colle
Gravina
Leverano
Lizzano
Locorotondo
Martina o Martina Franca
Matino
Moscato di Trani
Nardò
Ortanova
Ostuni
Primitivo di Manduria
Rosso di Barletta
Rosso di Canosa
Rosso di Cerignola
San Severo
Salice Salentino (THIS IS TOM'S FAVOURITE! Happily found in Arlington's liquor store!)
Squinzano
Galatina
Alezio
Brindisi
Cacc' é mmitte di Lucera
Castel del Monte (THIS IS THE WINE WE WILL BE DRINKING AT THE WEDDING, OPEN BAR!)
Copertino
Gioia del Colle
Gravina
Leverano
Lizzano
Locorotondo
Martina o Martina Franca
Matino
Moscato di Trani
Nardò
Ortanova
Ostuni
Primitivo di Manduria
Rosso di Barletta
Rosso di Canosa
Rosso di Cerignola
San Severo
Salice Salentino (THIS IS TOM'S FAVOURITE! Happily found in Arlington's liquor store!)
Squinzano
Galatina
Not to be forgotten: my friend Costantino's family reserve, preciously hidden in the land of Adelfia... Invite us Costa, invite us!
Some history, of course...
Wine production in southern Italy and in Apulia in particular, can betraced back to Egyptian times. Phoenicians with whom the region hadextensive trading links, were fully appreciative of the rare qualityproduced.
Later on the Romans had the chance to appreciate it, indeed they even wrote about it! : Tibullo 54 b.c. , Pliny the " elder" 79 b.c. and Orace 65 b.c. were all complimentary of such strong wine, adding valuable information on the method of production of the time.Frederick II of Swabia did much during his reign to promote the cultivation of such nectar in a land blessed with ideal climate.
Apulia is one of the largest producers by yield , in the world.
In the past, because of their potency they were largely used to "cut" other wines.
Fortunately in the mid 80' this changed and instead of going for quantity, DOC was achieved by over twenty wines. This has been possible with substantial investment and a sense of pride in what is a superb natural product, furthermore a sharp focus on quality andon some less known grapes has propelled the wines of this region to international recognition.
In the past, because of their potency they were largely used to "cut" other wines.
Fortunately in the mid 80' this changed and instead of going for quantity, DOC was achieved by over twenty wines. This has been possible with substantial investment and a sense of pride in what is a superb natural product, furthermore a sharp focus on quality andon some less known grapes has propelled the wines of this region to international recognition.
Today Apulia boasts 25 wines DOC with 52 reds, 28 whites, 22 rose , 17 sweet and 9 spumante.
Some of the best known wines are slowly finding their way to the UK and Ireland like : Primitivo di Manduria and others full bodied garnet coloured wines.
Some of the best known wines are slowly finding their way to the UK and Ireland like : Primitivo di Manduria and others full bodied garnet coloured wines.
If you want to get closer to the real scene of wine production, we suggest you visit the beautiful town of Locorotondo, a must see if you are touring in the Valle d?itria region, home of Alberobello (see post on Alberobello & Trulli). By train or by car, it is an hour trip from Bari. Here is a nice snap of the historic centre during a typical day in October. Wish to be there!
But don't forget... which ever wine you drink... Alla Salute!
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